Lacrosse training apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A lacrosse training apparatus is disclosed and includes a head, a first rod, a second rod and a mass. Each of the rods has a length and is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head. The mass is configured for movement with respect to the rods in response to a desired motion of the head. A length between a proximal portion of the rods is smaller than a length between a distal portion of the rods.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/657,767 (1560-2) filed on Jan. 25, 2007 and titled LACROSSE TRAINING APPARATUS AND METHOD, which claims the benefit and priority of provisional application Ser. No. 60/762,162 filed on Jan. 25, 2006 and titled LACROSSE STICK TRAINING SYSTEM, by John N. Andrea et al. The entire contents of these applications are hereby incorporated by its entirety herein.

The present application also claims the benefit and priority of provisional application Ser. No. 60/840,883 filed on Aug. 29, 2006 and titled LACROSSE TRAINING TOOLS WITH VELOCITY FEEDBACK, by John N. Andrea et al. The entire contents of this application are hereby incorporated by its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a lacrosse training apparatus and method, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for training a user to throw a lacrosse ball.

Lacrosse in an increasingly popular sport with a growing number of participants. The sport is played on a field where a hard rubber ball is passed from player to player and thrown towards a goal to score. The ball is handled in sticks including a shaft and a head. The head generally includes an outer support structure and a net.

During the passing, throwing and shooting of the ball from a lacrosse stick, the stick is typically actuated through an arc such that the head undergoes a significant rotational acceleration. The effectiveness of the throw is often dependent on the throwing technique or form that is used. Players often struggle using a proper technique when using a lacrosse stick to throw a ball—especially novice players and athletes attempting to throw with their non-natural hand (i.e., a righty throwing left-handed and a lefty throwing right-handed).

Typical throwing errors are often related to the quality of motion of the head of the lacrosse stick. One error occurs when the plane of the head is not oriented orthogonal to the direction of the desired throw. The results of this error, for example, include reduced speed and power as well as poor directional accuracy. Another error is presented by the pushing of the head. This error may result in a throw of reduced efficiency—lacking power, speed and accuracy.

Accordingly, a lacrosse training apparatus and method which trains a user in a correct throwing technique while providing feedback relating to speed and/or power of the throw may be helpful.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a lacrosse training apparatus including a head, a first rod, a second rod and a mass. Each of the rods has a length and is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head. The mass is configured for movement with respect to the rods in response to a desired motion of the head. A length between a proximal portion of the rods is smaller than a length between a distal portion of the rods.

The present disclosure also relates to a lacrosse training apparatus including a head, at least one rod, a weight sub-assembly and at least one biasing element. The at least one rod has a length and is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head. The weight sub-assembly is configured for movement with respect to the at least one rod in response to a desired motion of the head. The at least one biasing element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the weight sub-assembly and is configured to bias at least a portion of the weight sub-assembly away from the at least one rod.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of training a user to throw a lacrosse ball. The method includes providing a lacrosse training apparatus and providing feedback. The lacrosse training apparatus includes a head, a rod and a mass. The rod has a length and is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head. The mass is slidable along at least a portion of the length of the rod. At least a portion of the mass is biased away from the rod. The step of providing feedback includes moving the mass at least partially along the length of the rod in response to a desired movement of the head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a lacrosse training apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the lacrosse training apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the lacrosse training apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the lacrosse training apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side, partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the lacrosse training apparatus of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of a mass, shuttles and rod of a lacrosse training apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a weight sub-assembly of the lacrosse training apparatus of FIGS. 1-5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the presently disclosed lacrosse training apparatus are now described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein the term “distal” refers to that portion of the lacrosse training apparatus, or component thereof, farther from the user while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the lacrosse training apparatus or component thereof, closer to the user.

Various embodiments of a lacrosse training apparatus are illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and are generally referenced by numeral 100. Lacrosse training apparatus 100 includes a head 110, at least one rod 120 (two rods 120 a and 120 b are illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 5) and a mass 130. Lacrosse training apparatus 100 is useful in training users to throw a lacrosse ball.

Referencing FIG. 1, head 110 has a first dimension X, defining a longitudinal axis A-A, and a second dimension Y, illustrated substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A. In the illustrated embodiments, the shape of head 110 resembles the shape of the head of a typical lacrosse stick. Rod 120 is disposed in mechanical cooperation with head 110 and is shown being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, rods 120 a and 120 b are shown extending between a proximal support bar 140 a and a distal support bar 140 b. Support bar 140 a is shown connected to a proximal portion 112 of head and support bar 140 b is shown connected to a distal portion 114 of head 110, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 1 further illustrates a shaft 150 disposed adjacent proximal portion 112 of head 110. It is envisioned that shaft 150 is removably secured to head 110 to allow shafts 150 of different sizes (e.g., a long shaft used for defense; a short shaft used for offense), for instance, to be used with lacrosse training apparatus 100.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, mass 130 is disposed in mechanical cooperation with rods 120. It is envisioned that mass 130 is the approximate weight of a lacrosse ball. Further, mass 130 is configured to move at least partially along the length of rod 120 in response to a desired motion of the head 110, discussed below. In FIGS. 1-6, mass 130 is shown in mechanical cooperation with a first shuttle 160 a and a second shuttle 160 b, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Shuttles 160 a, 160 b are slidable along a length of rods 120 a, 120 b, respectively, between proximal portion 112 and distal portion 114 of head 110. A pair of bearings 170, e.g., O-rings, is shown disposed within each shuttle 160 a, 160 b and adjacent each rod 120 a, 120 b, respectively, to facilitate the sliding therebetween.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a cross-bar 180 is shown extending between shuttles 160 a, 160 b and through mass 130. In the illustrated embodiment, cross-bar 180 is rotatably engaged with first shuttle 160 a via a first ball 182 a and is rotatably engaged with second shuttle 160 b with a second ball 182 b. As can be appreciated, the interaction between balls 182 and shuttles 160 allows cross-bar 180 to rotate with respect to shuttles 160.

As mentioned above, lacrosse training apparatus 100 is useful in training users to throw a lacrosse ball. More specifically, mass 130 of lacrosse training apparatus 100 is configured to move at least partially along the length of rods 120 in response to a desired motion of head 110, or user's throwing motion. During a correct or acceptable throw, the head of a typical lacrosse stick (not explicitly shown) should travel through a substantial radial arc, indicated by arrow B in FIG. 4. Further, an acceptable throw may also be defined by the plane of face of head 110 being oriented substantially orthogonal to the direction of the desired throw.

Upon movement of head 110 of lacrosse training apparatus 100 in the direction (or substantial direction) of arrow B, mass 130 reacts to the centripetal forces acting thereupon and moves in the direction of arrow C. That is, in response to head 110 moving along a desired path, mass 130 moves along rods 120 (e.g., substantially along the entire length of rods 120) from proximal portion 112 of head 110 towards distal portion 114 of head 110. Here, the frictional forces of first shuttle 160 a are substantially equal to the frictional forces of second shuttle 160 b, thus mass 130 and shuttles 160 a, 160 b remain in a normal orientation with respect to rods 120 and are therefore free to translate thereon. Here too, the incidental friction acting on mass 130 and shuttles 160 a, 160 b is small enough to be overcome by the centripetal forces acting thereupon.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of head 110 being moved in along a non-desired path. Such a non-desired or incorrect throw may occur when the motion of the throw is not normal to the plane or face of head 110 or when head 110 is “pushed” in the substantial direction of arrow E in FIG. 4, which is substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis A-A. In such a circumstance, a horizontal acceleration A_(H) across the face of head 110 is present (indicated by arrow F in FIG. 5) in addition to the centripetal acceleration, as described above. The horizontal acceleration A_(H) generally slows or stops the distal translation of mass 130 along rods 120.

In such a circumstance where an undesired motion of head 110 occurs, the horizontal acceleration A_(H) will cause a net force reaction of mass 130 from left to right (as illustrated in FIG. 5) or from right to left (not explicitly shown). In a disclosed embodiment, this horizontal acceleration A_(H) retards the distal movement (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 4) of first shuttle 160 a (more specifically, bearings 170, therein), while mass 130 and second shuttle 160 b are free to continue their distal translation. Such movement is illustrated in FIG. 5 and thus creates an angle θ between an axis perpendicular to rods 120 and an axis connecting first and second shuttles 160 a, 160 b. Thus, an effective distance d′ between shuttles 160 decreases from original distance d, where the effective distance d′ is calculated by the equation: d′=d cos θ

The force provided by this relatively small relative movement between shuttles 160 a, 160 b causes a significant force between frictional elements (e.g., O-rings) of second shuttle 160 b, thus effectively locking mass 130 from further distal movement along rods 120. Further, in response to a “pushing” motion of head 110 in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 4, it is envisioned that there is not enough of a centripetal force acting on mass 130 to cause a complete distal translation of mass 130 along rods 120. Thus, the movement (or lack of movement) of mass 130 along rods 120 provides feedback to the alert the user whether or not head 110 is moving along a desired path; that is, whether the user's throwing motion is proper.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, structure, such as butterfly screws 190, may be used to alter the distance d1 between a portion of shuttle 160 and rod 120. While d1 is shown in FIG. 5 as being between rod 120 and mass 130, it is also envisioned that the distance between bearings 170 and rod 120 can be altered. Having a variable distance d1 may be useful when training users of different skill levels, for instance. For example, distance d1 can be relatively small for training users of a higher skill lever and distance d1 can be relatively large for training users with a lower level of skill.

It is envisioned that the greater the distance d1, the more leeway a user has in moving head 110 along a desired path to cause mass 130 to travel along rods 120. Moreover, it is contemplated that the smaller the distance d1, the more accurate a user's throw must be to get the desired motion of mass 130 along rods 120 because there is less “play” between shuttles 160 a, 160 b and rods 120 a, 120 b. In such an embodiment, lacrosse training apparatus 100 may be adjusted based on the skill level of the user or the desired task to be practiced (e.g., passing vs. shooting). Accordingly, lacrosse training apparatus 100 may be used to fine-tune a user's skill.

It is also envisioned that feedback may be provided to the user (or a trainer/coach) using other means. For instance, an accelerometer 300 may be provided in mechanical cooperation with (e.g., attached to) head 110, rod 120 and/or mass 130. Accelerometer 300 may be comprised of a microchip and a digital readout, for example, and may be used to quantify the power of the throw. In the embodiment where accelerometer 300 is disposed on head 110, it is envisioned that rod 120 and/or mass 130 may not be part of lacrosse training apparatus 100. It is further envisioned that lacrosse training apparatus 100 may include multiple axes, such that the components of the desired motion could be compared to the undesirable components. Additionally, the use of strain gages may be used to provide quantification of the quality of motion.

Various manufacturing details in connection with disclosed embodiments of lacrosse training apparatus 100 are disclosed. It is envisioned that head 110 of lacrosse training apparatus 100 is made of injection molded components in a polymer, such as high impact nylon or polycarbonate. Rods 120 can be attached to head 110 by clamping between head 110 and support bars 140 a, 140 b, which may be attached via ultrasonic welding or heat staking, for example. A positioning element may be inserted within an aperture defined between head 110 and support bars 140 a, 140 b to achieve greater positional accuracy of rods 120 a, 120 b. Shuttles 160 may be hermaphroditic, such that only one part makes up all four shuttle halves (each shuttle 160 a, 160 b being made up of two halves). In various embodiments, shuttles 160 may be either ultrasonically welded or heat staked together. Mass 130 may be a turned mass of aluminum. Cross-bar 180 (and balls 182 disposed at each end) may be machined from a stainless steel material. In an embodiment, mass 130 may be slid onto cross-bar 180, and balls 182 of cross-bar 180 may then be screwed on and positioned within a pocket of each shuttle 160 a, 160 b prior to the welding or heat staking. Other materials and methods of manufacture are contemplated and envisioned by the present disclosure.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of training a user to throw a lacrosse ball. The method includes the steps of providing a lacrosse training apparatus 100 (such as the apparatuses described above) and providing feedback. The step of providing feedback may include moving mass 130 at least partially along the length of rod 120 in response to a desired movement of head 110. The step of providing feedback may also include impeding movement of mass 130 along rod 120 in response to a non-desired movement of head 110.

With reference to FIGS. 2A and 6, another embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. Here, lacrosse training apparatus 1000 is configured to provide feedback regarding proper throwing technique and speed/power of the throw.

In this embodiment and with specific reference to FIG. 2A, it is envisioned that a first length l₁ between rods 120 a and 120 b adjacent proximal support bar 140 a is smaller than a second length l₂ between rods 120 a and 120 b adjacent distal support bar 140 b. Thus, as can be appreciated, the increased distal separation between rods 120 a and 120 b causes the friction or pressure between bearings 170 and rods 120 to increase as mass 130 travels distally along rods 120. Therefore, a user must both move lacrosse training apparatus 1000 along a desired path and move lacrosse training apparatus 1000 with a sufficient amount of force/power to cause mass 130 to travel towards (and possibly cause shuttles 160 to contact) distal support bar 140 b.

With reference to FIG. 6, a weight sub-assembly 200 is shown. Weight sub-assembly may be used in connection with an embodiment of lacrosse training apparatus 1000, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A. In the illustrated embodiment, weight sub-assembly 200 includes a first weight half 210 a linked with a second weight half 210 b. As each half 210 a, 210 b of weight sub-assembly is substantially identical to (or mirror images of) one another, only the details of a single half 210 are discussed.

As shown, weight half 210 includes a cross bar 220, a ball 230, a bushing 240, a biasing element (e.g., spring 250), a disc 260, and a solid portion 270. Similarly to embodiments discussed above, ball 230 of weight half 210 is configured to engage shuttle 160 and is rotatable relative thereto. Ball 230 is disposed adjacent a first end of cross bar 220 and disc 260 is disposed adjacent an opposite or second end of cross bar 220. Bushing 240 is disposed between cross bar 220 and solid portion 270, thus allowing cross bar 220 to rotate with respect to solid portion 270 of weight half 210. Additionally, bushing 240 allows translation (e.g., in the direction of double headed arrow G-G) between cross bar 220 and solid portion 270 of weight half 210.

It is envisioned that the assembly of weight sub-assembly 200 includes assembling spring 250 and bushing 240 to weight half 210, then threading cross bar 220 to ball 230 and disc 260. Such threads may be provided with a means to avoid working losses, such as Loctite® Threadlocker, available from Henkel, headquartered in Düsseldorf/Germany. Each weight half 210 a and 210 b may be joined by screws, which may also include a threadlocker. Balls 230 are then placed within a spherical pocket of each shuttle 160 prior to welding or heat staking, for example.

Spring 250 is disposed within a cavity 280 of weight half 210 and between disc 260 and part of solid portion 270. Spring 250 is shown as a circular-type spring, but other types of springs, such as spiral or helical, may be utilized. Spring 250 is configured to exert pressure against disc 260 in the direction of arrow H (with respect to weight half 210 a). As a result, the pressure causes cross bar 220 and ball 230 to be biased inwardly (that is, in the direction of arrow H with respect to weight half 210 a).

With reference to FIGS. 2A and 6, the inward bias of ball 230 causes corresponding shuttle 160 to be biased inwardly towards center of weight sub-assembly 200. Consequently, each bearing 170 is biased towards corresponding rod 120. As can be appreciated, the bias of bearings 170 towards rod 120 requires a stronger centripetal force to cause weight sub-assembly 200 to travel distally along rods 120. Further, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, even more force (e.g., a linearly increasing amount of force) is required to cause weight sub-assembly 200 to travel between proximal support bar 140 a and distal support bar 140 b due to the larger length of second length l₂ with respect to first length l₁.

With continued reference to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 6, a proper throwing motion in combination with sufficient power are necessary to move weight sub-assembly 200 distally along rods 120. That is, “pushing,” too much horizontal acceleration A_(H) and/or insufficient power or force would cause weight sub-assembly 200 to stop prematurely of its most distal position possible.

To determine how must power, force or speed is sufficient to distally translated weight sub-assembly 200, the frictional force F_(f) between bearings 170 and rods 120 is considered. In FIG. 2A, the change in frictional force F_(f) between second length l₂ and first length l₁ can be expressed as: F _(f) =μk(l ₂ −l ₁)

Where:

-   -   μ=coefficient of friction between bearings 170 (e.g., o-rings)         and rods 120     -   k=combined spring constant of springs 250 (within weight halves         210 a and 210 b)

The frictional force F_(f) acts in resistance to the centripetal force F_(C): F _(C)=½(rmω ²)

Where:

-   -   r=effective radius of the swing of the user     -   m=mass of weight sub-assembly 200 plus shuttles 160     -   ω=rotational velocity

The weight sub-assembly 200 and shuttles 160 will stop translating distally along rods 120 when the frictional force F_(f) and centripetal force F_(C) are balanced. The throwing velocity v is related to the rotational velocity by: v=rω

It is also envisioned that electronic instrumentation can be included. Such instrumentation may be connected to or engineered to be part of mass 130 or weight sub-assembly 200, for example, and may be configured to monitor, record and store data arising from use of lacrosse training apparatus 100. The data can be analyzed by software programmed into such instrumentation to indicate statistical and/or physical aspects of the use of lacrosse training apparatus 100 (such as number of throwing movements, number and percentage of correct/acceptable throws (e.g., when shuttles 160 contact distal support bar 140 b), throw velocity, direction, speed and direction of a simulated ball, plane of throw, etc.), and to make suggestions to the user or a trainer/coach as to how to improve the user's technique. Such data and information can also be stored and transferred to separate computing means (e.g., a personal computer) for further analysis and use with graphics and/or video imaging to teach the user about proper throwing/shooting/passing techniques. Such software may also include advanced systems embodying a rules-based system.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of various embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. 

1. A lacrosse training apparatus, comprising: a head; a first rod and a second rod, each rod having a length and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head; and a mass configured for movement with respect to the rods in response to a desired motion of the head, wherein a length between a proximal portion of the rods is smaller than a length between a distal portion of the rods.
 2. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mass is configured to move at least partially along the length of the rods between a proximal portion of the head and a distal portion of the head in response to a desired motion of the head.
 3. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mass is configured not to move along the entire length of the rods in response to a non-desired movement of the head.
 4. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 3, wherein the non-desired movement of the head includes a throwing velocity below a predetermined amount.
 5. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head is configured to engage a shaft adjacent a proximal portion of the head.
 6. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first shuttle and a second shuttle, each shuttle being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the mass, the first shuttle being slidable along the first rod and the second shuttle being slidable along the second rod.
 7. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 6, wherein the mass includes at least one biasing element in mechanical cooperation therewith, the at least one biasing element configured to bias at least one shuttle towards the mass.
 8. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mass is the approximate weight of a lacrosse ball.
 9. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer disposed in mechanical cooperation with at least one of the head, the first rod, the second rod and the mass.
 10. A lacrosse training apparatus, comprising: a head; at least one rod having a length and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head; a weight sub-assembly configured for movement with respect to the at least one rod in response to a desired motion of the head; and at least one biasing element disposed in mechanical cooperation with the weight sub-assembly and being configured to bias at least a portion of the weight sub-assembly away from the at least one rod.
 11. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 10, further including at least one shuttle, the shuttle being slidingly disposed with respect to the at least one rod and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the weight sub-assembly.
 12. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one shuttle includes at least one bearing disposed in mechanical cooperation therewith, the at least one biasing element being configured to bias the at least one bearing towards its respective rod.
 13. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one rod includes a first rod and a second rod.
 14. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 13, wherein the weight sub-assembly includes a first weight half and a second weight half, each weight half including a cross bar and a biasing element, and wherein the biasing element of each weight half is configured to bias its respective cross bar towards a center of the weight sub-assembly.
 15. The lacrosse training apparatus of claim 13, wherein a length between a proximal portion of the rods is smaller than a length between a distal portion of the rods.
 16. A method of training a user to throw a lacrosse ball, comprising: providing a lacrosse training apparatus, including: a head; a rod having a length and being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head; and a mass being slidable along at least a portion of the length of the rod, at least a portion of the mass being biased away from the rod; and providing feedback, including: moving the mass at least partially along the length of the rod in response to a desired movement of the head.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of providing feedback further includes impeding movement of the mass along the rod in response to a non-desired movement of the head.
 18. The method of claim 16, further including a second rod having a length and disposed in mechanical cooperation with the head, the second rod being substantially parallel to the first rod, and wherein a length between proximal portions of the rods is smaller than a length between distal portions of the rods.
 19. The method of claim 18, further including a first shuttle and a second shuttle, the shuttles being disposed in mechanical cooperation with the mass, the first shuttle being slidable along at least a portion of the length of the first rod and the second shuttle being slidable along at least a portion of the length of the second rod.
 20. The method of claim 15, further including providing an accelerometer disposed in mechanical cooperation with the lacrosse training apparatus. 